News & Opportunities

2024 AWAF Award Winners Announced

The AWAF Awards are designed to celebrate and honor the achievements of women and change champions who live the AWAF mission of advancing and empowering women in the automotive industry. 

Terri Schulke, Director of Thermal and Propulsion Integration, General Motors will receive the Industry Achievement Award. This award honors a woman who has made an outstanding contribution for at least (10) years in the automotive industry while also making a difference by promoting and supporting her fellow women to achieve their automotive career aspirations.

Terri Schulke has made a remarkable impact in the automotive industry and stands as a beacon of leadership, innovation, and mentorship. With over 30 years of experience at General Motors (GM), her journey has been defined by her commitment to excellence, technical expertise, and dedication to empowering women to pursue their aspirations in the automotive field.

Terri has served in multiple transformative roles within GM, including her current position as Director of Thermal and Propulsion Integration. Leading a team of highly skilled engineers across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, she oversees critical functions such as vehicle thermal management, HVAC, air induction, and shift control systems. Her previous leadership of GM’s Asia Pacific Engine Engineering group, spanning five countries, is a testament to her adaptability and dedication, as she tackled challenging roles with tenacity and discipline.

Beyond her technical accomplishments, Terri has been an active mentor, particularly for women in the industry. She serves on the Advisory Board for GM’s largest mentoring program, Mentor Me, where she has been a program champion and personal mentor. In addition to creating a group mentoring program while abroad, she has mentored over 80 colleagues informally, fostering an inclusive environment for women to excel in technical roles. Her efforts have paved the way for women in powertrain engineering, a historically male-dominated area, breaking stereotypes and encouraging others to reach new heights.

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BenchStrength Coaching will receive the Change Champion Award. This award recognizes a man or company who has contributed significantly to the acceptance and advancement of women in the automotive industry.

The "Women Rising" Program, launched by BenchStrength Coaching in 2018, has made groundbreaking strides toward advancing women in the automotive industry. Established by founders Dawn Rowley, Christine Noffz, and Susan Gellatly, this transformative initiative has empowered female talent at Ford and other automotive companies, earning national recognition, including a spot on the Inc. 5000 list in 2023 as one of the fastest-growing programs in America. By combining targeted classroom learning with ongoing coaching and mentorship, "Women Rising" offers a supportive, impactful environment that addresses the specific challenges women face in a historically male-dominated field.

Through guided discussions and mentorship with seasoned leaders, participants explore their unique leadership styles, build self-confidence, and identify personal derailers and triggers that may affect how they are perceived. The program’s success has been highlighted by participants themselves, with many noting it as the most impactful professional development experience they’ve had, positively altering the trajectory of their careers. This feedback has been echoed in survey results, underscoring the program's ability to create lasting change by reinforcing learning through continuous support.

"Women Rising" goes beyond traditional training by fostering a feedback loop that encourages women to apply what they've learned in real-world situations. By cultivating confidence and providing strategies to tackle professional hurdles, participants emerge prepared for leadership roles, contributing to a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

The program's influence has extended across Ford and the wider automotive industry, fostering gender diversity, enhancing talent pipelines, and inspiring a more equitable future. BenchStrength Coaching’s "Women Rising" Program serves as a beacon for change, breaking barriers and strengthening the acceptance of women in automotive careers while championing their advancement and success.

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Bonnie Thibodeau, Elizabeth Simon, Emma Akouri, and Emily Grus from SAE International will receive the Group Achievement Award for a A World In Motion® program. This award is given to a group of women who working together to make an exceptional contribution to the automotive & mobility industry. This includes exemplary teamwork and leadership exhibited and the significance of the accomplishment. 

Bonnie, Elizabeth, Emily, and Emma exemplify exceptional teamwork and leadership in advancing the automotive and mobility industry through SAE’s award-winning A World In Motion® (AWIM) STEM education program. Together, they create a lasting impact on the next generation of engineers and automotive professionals, inspiring over 100,000 students each year and partnering with industry professionals who volunteer in classrooms.

Bonnie, a six-year team veteran, serves as the creative force behind innovative educational tools. She spearheaded the development of the STEM Sagas: Virtually Rerouted Interactive Comic Book, which introduces computer science concepts through a digital game where students battle computer viruses. Bonnie also developed the Autonomous Expedition game, which guides students through a cityscape to teach them the fundamentals of autonomous vehicle technology. Her work has introduced engaging, inclusive learning experiences that foster a love for STEM from an early age.

Elizabeth, who joined the team in 2020, has been instrumental in broadening AWIM's reach to PreK students, ensuring STEM exposure begins early. She also revamped AWIM’s evaluation system, providing insights into the program’s educational impact. Her efforts in curriculum development have brought numerous awards to AWIM, solidifying its reputation for excellence in STEM education.

Emma, a former math teacher who joined in 2023, has developed the first AWIM high school challenge, Powered Up!, which teaches students about electric vehicles. Her management of corporate-funded initiatives and training for teachers and volunteers is critical to the program’s success.

Emily, also joining in 2023, brings her organizational expertise as a former music teacher to launch AWIM’s “Designated Schools” program, recognizing schools that excel in AWIM integration. She also helped SAE become a certified continuing education provider for K-12 teachers.

Together, this team’s dedication to STEM education shapes future automotive leaders and fuels innovation, ensuring the automotive industry’s continued growth and diversity for years to come.

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Zereen Ali, Manager, Global Communications and Marketing, Martinrea International Inc. will receive the Emerging Leader Award. This award honors a woman who has been in her career 10 years or less and has demonstrated outstanding performance, as well as leadership in her professional work and the community.

The awards will be presented at the 2024 AWAF Holiday Affair on December 5th.